Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin, who continues to deal with a problematic ankle, missed Wednesday’s practice. Coach Ken Whisenhunt called his wide receiver as “day to day.”

However, it’s looking more and more like Boldin will miss this week’s game in Chicago. That won’t be a major loss based on his numbers, though. Boldin currently has just 41 fantasy points on NFL.com — that’s fewer than Bears rookie WR Johnny Knox.

If he is in fact out for Week 9, fantasy owners should upgrade WR Steve Breaston on rank lists. The Michigan product would become a viable No. 2 or 3 wideout as the second option in the pass attack for QB Kurt Warner.

WR Jerheme Urban would also see more work, but his stock is limited to much larger formats.

News and notes

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) has been cleared to play in this week’s game against the Cowboys. He was able to practice on Wednesday and is expected to start, so fantasy owners should plan on having him back in their starting lineups. Rookie RB LeSean McCoy is a less attractive option now that Westbrook is back in action.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz told the Detroit Free Press that RB Kevin Smith will continue to be his “workhorse” and will not lose carries to RB Maurice Morris. Of course, Smith remains a risky fantasy play until WR Calvin Johnson returns to action, as it’s harder to stack the box with Megatron on the field. Johnson could be questionable for Week 9.

According to the team’s official website, Texans coach Gary Kubiak plans to use all three of his running backs against the Colts. That means RBs Steve Slaton, Ryan Moats and Chris Brown are all in the mix for carries. This is an impossible situation to determine from a fantasy perspective, especially after Moats’ explosive stat line last week. If possible, it’s best to avoid this committee for at least a week.

Fantasy owners who have Seahawks WR Nate Burleson in leagues that reward players points for return yards and touchdown have to be smiling. With RB Justin Forsett moving up the depth chart after the release of RB Edgerrin James, Burleson will now take over as the team’s primary punt returner. With James gone, Forsett is now worth a look in larger leagues.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley is “hopeful” about the potential of RB Jamaal Charles, who will start in the absence of suspended RB Larry Johnson in Week 9. Based on a favorable matchup against the Jaguars, Charles (who has similar skill sets to Titans RB Chris Johnson) is a great sleeper candidate.

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